"This amendment will place in extreme constitutional jeopardy criminal laws that require a permit to carry a concealed weapon."

Louisiana voters will decide Tuesday whether or not to adopt a constitutional amendment that removes from the Louisiana Constitution the express power of the Legislature to regulate the possession of concealed weapons. The language that it removes from the Constitution is as important as the language that it adds.

The amendment adds language that will place severe constitutional barriers on existing firearms' regulations in Louisiana. As such, it will lead to a flurry of litigation in which criminal defendants will challenge the constitutionality of current criminal laws regulating gun possession. This amendment will place in extreme constitutional jeopardy criminal laws that require a permit to carry a concealed weapon, prohibit violent felons from possessing firearms and prohibit the possession of firearms on elementary and high school campuses.

A "no" vote on the amendment is neither an opposition to the existing constitutional protections for gun owners nor is it a vote to take away any law-abiding citizen's firearm. The existing Louisiana Constitution and current state laws already contain a multitude of protections for gun owners. There are presently only three states in the country that place fewer restrictions on gun possession than Louisiana. Under the existing legal framework, the rights of Louisiana gun owners are very well protected.

A "yes" vote on the amendment is a vote to dramatically -- and in an unprecedented manner -- reduce criminal restrictions on currently illegal gun possession. Ultimately, I believe that this amendment represents an effort by some to transform Louisiana into an unrestricted concealed carry state -- that is a state in which any individual is legally entitled to carry a concealed weapon without a permit or criminal background check, and without regard to criminal history.

Advocates for this amendment either refuse to discuss its possible effect on the constitutionality of existing criminal statutes or claim that they did not intend to target any specific law. Such a claim, however, is laughable in light of the fact that this amendment specifically removes from the Constitution the express authority of the Legislature to regulate the possession of concealed weapons.

This amendment represents a very skillfully drafted and deliberate attempt, by constitutional slight-of-hand, to mandate that Louisiana's leaders no longer have the power to regulate the possession of concealed weapons. However, there is nothing in our present Constitution that would prevent the Legislature from passing and the governor from signing a law that would do just that. But the proponents of this amendment seem to fear a debate as to whether or not one should be constitutionally entitled to carry a concealed weapon without a background check or safety training.

This amendment is not about protecting existing rights, but represents an insidious attempt to fundamentally alter an already permissive firearms policy in this state, which is evidenced by the removal of the Legislature's authority to regulate the possession of concealed weapons. If this amendment passes, then its proponents will quickly turn to the courts of this state to do their "dirty work" and strike down present criminal laws that keep guns out of the hands of violent felons and off school campuses, which they could not accomplish through the ordinary democratic process.

I do not believe a proliferation of concealed weapons in Louisiana and New Orleans in particular will enhance public safety. If you do, then we can respectfully disagree. I am writing, however, to those thoughtful individuals who may not have yet considered the true consequences of this amendment.

I do not want to take away your gun. Furthermore, I am not opposing any of the multitudes of existing protections you presently have to possess your weapon. I am trying to ensure that if you are at a Saints game or a Mardi Gras parade with your kids that you are not surrounded by hoards of people -- including convicted felons -- who are legally entitled to carry a concealed weapon without a background check or safety training.

Additionally, I am trying to ensure that when police encounter such individuals they retain the ability to distinguish the "good guys" from the "bad guys" and the legal authority to act accordingly before the shooting begins.